Variety Store

Definition

A variety store is an establishment that sells a wide variety of merchandise in the low and popular price range usually in limited assortments (such as stationery, gift items, women’s accessories, toilet articles, light hardware, toys, housewares, and confectionery).

Variety stores were formerly known as limited price variety stores because merchandise was usually not sold outside some specified price ranges. The concept originated with the five-and-dime or dime store.

Depending on its location, this type of store may be referred to as a dollar store (US and Canada), pound shop (UK), Eurostore (Germany), etc.[1]